1. Definition and Meaning:
Baalah is a name that appears in the Old Testament, referring to both a location and a person. The name Baalah is derived from the Hebrew root "ba'al," which means "lord" or "master." In the context of biblical geography and genealogy, Baalah is associated with places and individuals that played roles in the history of Israel.

2. Baalah as a Location:
Baalah is mentioned as a geographical location in the tribal allotments of the Israelites. It is identified with several places:

· Baalah in Judah: Baalah is listed as one of the towns in the territory of the tribe of Judah. In Joshua 15:9-10 , it is described as being on the border of Judah: "Then the border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron and went down to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim)." This indicates its location near Kiriath-jearim, a significant site in the history of the Ark of the Covenant.

· Baalah as Kiriath-jearim: The town of Baalah is also known as Kiriath-jearim, a city that played a crucial role in the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant. After the Ark was returned by the Philistines, it was brought to Kiriath-jearim, where it remained for many years before being moved to Jerusalem by King David (1 Samuel 7:1-2, 2 Samuel 6:2).

· Baalah in the North: Another mention of Baalah is found in Joshua 19:3 , where it is listed as a town in the territory of the tribe of Simeon: "Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem." This Baalah is distinct from the one in Judah and is part of the southern region allocated to Simeon.

3. Baalah as a Person:
While Baalah is primarily known as a place, the name is also associated with individuals in genealogical records. However, specific details about individuals named Baalah are sparse, and the name is more prominently recognized in its geographical context.

4. Historical and Theological Significance:
The locations named Baalah hold historical and theological significance in the biblical narrative. Kiriath-jearim, identified with Baalah in Judah, is particularly noteworthy for its association with the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark's presence in Kiriath-jearim symbolizes God's covenantal relationship with Israel and His divine presence among His people. The movement of the Ark from Baalah to Jerusalem under King David marks a pivotal moment in establishing Jerusalem as the religious and political center of Israel.

5. Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological studies have sought to identify the precise locations of the sites named Baalah. Kiriath-jearim, associated with Baalah in Judah, has been the subject of archaeological interest, with excavations revealing insights into the settlement patterns and historical context of the region during the biblical period.

6. Cross-References:
· Joshua 15:9-10 : Describes the border of Judah extending to Baalah.
· 1 Samuel 7:1-2 : Mentions the Ark of the Covenant being brought to Kiriath-jearim.
· 2 Samuel 6:2 : Refers to David bringing the Ark from Baalah to Jerusalem.
· Joshua 19:3 : Lists Baalah as a town in the territory of Simeon.

Baalah, in its various mentions, reflects the rich tapestry of Israel's tribal inheritance, religious history, and the enduring significance of the Ark of the Covenant in the life of the nation.Baalah

her idol; she that is governed or subdued; a spouse

Baalah

[BAAL, NO. 2]

Baalah

A town in the tribe of Simeon, Joshua 15:29; 19:3; called also Bilhah, 1 Chronicles 4:29. The same as Kirjathjearim.

Mistress; city.

(1.) A city in the south of Judah (Joshua 15:29), elsewhere called Balah (Joshua 19:3) and Bilhah (1 Chronicles 4:29). Now Khurbet Zebalah.

(2.) A city on the northern border of the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:10), called also Kirjath-jearim, q.v. (15:9; 1 Chronicles 13:6), now Kuriet-el-Enab, or as some think, `Erma.

(3.) A mountain on the north-western boundary of Judah and Dan (Joshua 15:11).

BAALAH

ba'-a-la ba`alah; ("possessor," "mistress "): Three occurrences of this name:

(1) = KIRIATH-JEARIM (which see) (Joshua 15:9, 10 1 Chronicles 13:6).

(2) A city in the Negeb of Judah (Joshua 15:29). In Joshua 19:3 Balah and in 1 Chronicles 4:29 Bilhah; perhaps also Boaloth of Joshua 15:24. The site is unknown; but see PEF, III, 26.

(3) Mount Baalah (Joshua 15:11), a mountain ridge between Shikkeron (Ekron) and Jabnoel unless, as seems probable, the suggestion of M. Clermont-Ganneau (Rev. Crit, 1897, 902) is correct that for har (= "mount"), we should read nahar ("river"). In this case the border in question would be the Nahr rubin. Here there is an annual feast held-attended by all classes and famous all over Syria-which appears to be a real survival of "Baal worship."

E. W. G. Masterman

1173. Baalah -- the name of several places in Isr.
... 1172, 1173. Baalah. 1174 . the name of several places in Isr. Transliteration:
Baalah Phonetic Spelling: (bah-al-aw') Short Definition: Baalah. ...
/hebrew/1173.htm - 6k

1172. baalah -- a mistress
... 1171, 1172. baalah. 1173 . a mistress. Transliteration: baalah Phonetic Spelling:
(bah-al-aw') Short Definition: medium. ... 1171, 1172. baalah. 1173 . ...
/hebrew/1172.htm - 6k

1192. Baalath Beer -- "mistress of a well," a city in Simeon
... Word Origin from baalah and beer Definition "mistress of a well," a city
in Simeon NASB Word Usage Baalath-beer (1). Baalath-beer. ...
/hebrew/1192.htm - 6k

1191. Baalath -- a city in Dan
... Definition: Baalath. Word Origin probably from baalah Definition a city
in Dan NASB Word Usage Baalath (3). Baalath. A modification ...
/hebrew/1191.htm - 6k

1175. Bealoth -- "mistresses," a city in S. Judah, also a city of ...
... Word Origin pl. of baalah Definition "mistresses," a city in S. Judah, also a city
of unc. location NASB Word Usage Bealoth (2). Bealoth, in Aloth. ...
/hebrew/1175.htm - 6k

Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
... and Gibbethon, and Baaleth; behold, these are Judah." (Here is a mistake of the
transcribers, for it should be written, of Dan, Joshua 19:44.) "Baalah, and Jiim ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 45 emmaus kiriath-jearim.htm

Death and Life from the Ark
... reception and procession. The parallel account in 1 Chronicles tates that
Baalah, or Baale, was Kirjath-jearim. Probably the former ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/death and life from the.htm

Baalah (5 Occurrences)
... 15:11). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAALAH. ba'-a-la ... EWG Masterman.
Multi-Version Concordance Baalah (5 Occurrences). Joshua 15:9 ...
/b/baalah.htm - 10k

Ba'alah (5 Occurrences)
Ba'alah. Baalah, Ba'alah. Baalam . Multi-Version Concordance Ba'alah
(5 Occurrences). Joshua 15:9 The border extended from the top ...
/b/ba'alah.htm - 7k

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 15:1-29; Comp. Psalm 132). It was also called Baalah (Joshua
15:9) and Kirjath-baal (60). It has been usually identified ...
/k/kirjath-jearim.htm - 13k

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 15:1-29; Comp. Psalm 132). It was also called Baalah (Joshua
15:9) and Kirjath-baal (60). It has been usually identified ...
/k/kirjathjearim.htm - 13k

Jearim (19 Occurrences)
... from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out
to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended to Baalah (the same ...
/j/jearim.htm - 13k

Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... same place); it was one of the places on the border line between Judah and Benjamin
(Joshua 18:14, 15; Joshua 15:11 (where it is called "Baalah"); compare 1 ...
/k/kiriath-jearim.htm - 19k

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)
... the top of the mountain unto the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out
to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah--the same ...
/k/kir'iath-je'arim.htm - 11k

Northwards (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:10 and the border turned from Baalah westwards toward mount Seir, and
passed toward the side of Har-jearim, that is, Chesalon, northwards, and went ...
/n/northwards.htm - 7k

Extended (40 Occurrences)
... from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out
to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended to Baalah (the same ...
/e/extended.htm - 17k

Balah (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A city in the tribe of Simeon (Joshua 19:3), elsewhere
called Bilhah (1 Chronicles 4:29) and Baalah (Joshua 15:29). Int. ...
/b/balah.htm - 7k

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